feeling of being used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of being used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of exploitation or manipulation in a relationship or situation. Example: "After realizing how much effort I put into the project without any recognition, I was left with a strong feeling of being used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Have you ever got a feeling of being used?

The New York Times

This kind of movie is bullying and manipulative, and it's hard to fight the feeling of being used.

The New York Times

What bothered them, she said, was "the timing, so close to the election; the feeling of being used, and wondering who it was" doing the using.

The New York Times

"In the evangelical church in general there is kind of a push back against the Republican party and a feeling of being used by the Republican political machine," he continued.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are torn between their pride of appearing as good state reformers, the need for rationalization, devotion to the obligation of budget rigor, and their feeling of being used as an eternal victim" by the Ministry of Finance.

The New York Times

In a Q. & A. with readers yesterday, the reporter David Barboza was asked whether he "ever got a feeling of being used," whether the "New York Times has become a tool in a factional struggle" and, indeed, whether the Times received "a thick bundle of material about Wen's family wealth … by unidentified parties".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That is often about their experience of feeling and being used by others, which can feel invasive and assaultive to their core.

Huffington Post

Though the author later claimed his word was rooted in religious Beatitudes, it was described by a Times writer as "more than mere weariness, it implies the feeling of having been used, of being raw... a sort of nakedness of mind".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the case of an amazing technology capable of personalizing experiences, improving interactions and creating positive feelings being used for the purpose of controlling citizens.

TechCrunch

Nor will passions necessarily be aroused if overstatement of feeling ("sentimentality") is used without a due balance of thinking and even the detachment of laughter: Shakespeare and Anton Chekhov are two outstanding examples in Western drama of writers who achieved an exquisite balance of pathos with comedy in order to ensure the affective function of their plays.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perceptions of feeling stigmatised were used, in some cases, as a reaffirmation, highlighting what they considered as "inconsistencies" with respect to other health problems.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling of being used" when you want to convey a subjective emotional experience of exploitation, rather than stating an objective fact.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of being used" when you have concrete evidence of exploitation. In such cases, stating the facts directly is more effective than describing the subjective feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of being used" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes a subjective emotional experience. It conveys a sense of exploitation or manipulation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of being used" effectively conveys a subjective emotional experience of exploitation or manipulation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. While not extremely common, with only 5 exact examples found, it appears in diverse contexts, including news media and scientific publications. To enhance clarity and impact, be specific when describing the context and contributing factors. When in doubt, explore alternatives like "sense of being exploited" or "impression of being taken advantage of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of being taken advantage of

Highlights the aspect of someone profiting unfairly from another's vulnerability or trust.

sense of being exploited

Focuses specifically on exploitation, emphasizing unfair use for someone else's benefit.

sense of being used as a means to an end

Highlights the feeling of being valued only for what one can provide, not for oneself.

impression of being manipulated

Emphasizes the feeling of being controlled or influenced unfairly.

feeling of being a pawn

Emphasizes being used as a tool by someone else to achieve their own goals.

feeling of being leveraged

Focuses on the feeling of being used to gain an advantage.

sensation of being played

Suggests a cunning or deceptive form of manipulation, like being a pawn in a game.

suspicion of being instrumentalized

Highlights the clinical sensation of being turned into something functional.

the experience of being objectified

Conveys the sense of being treated as an object rather than a person with feelings and needs.

feeling of being drained

Focuses on the emotional consequence of being used, highlighting the exhaustion and depletion that result.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling of being used" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of being used" to describe a situation where you perceive that someone is unfairly taking advantage of your efforts or resources. For example, "After the project, I had a strong "feeling of being used" by my colleagues".

What is a more formal way to express "feeling of being used"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "sense of exploitation" or "impression of being taken advantage of" instead of "feeling of being used". These alternatives may sound more professional and objective.

What can I say instead of "feeling of being used"?

You can use alternatives like "sense of being exploited", "feeling of being taken advantage of", or "impression of being manipulated" depending on the context.

Is "feeling of being used" grammatically correct?

Yes, "feeling of being used" is grammatically correct. It is a noun phrase functioning as the object of a verb or preposition, expressing a subjective emotional experience.